From day one, Terezin was a factory of lies for the Third Reich. As with all the concentration camps, knowledge of the abysmal conditions within was shrouded as much as possible from civilian neighbors. In August of 1942, construction was begun on railroad siding to extend into the fortress—previously prisoners had to struggle through public areas to get from their boxcars at the station into the camp. By adding the extra railway, there were less witnesses to the ragged transports in and out of the camp.

Letters posted from the camp, when allowed, were also carefully censored to ensure no telling details were revealed to friends or relatives who had not yet been imprisoned. Oftentimes letters were simply banned, or sometimes one postcard of a mere thirty words could be sent per month per prisoner. Changes were also made to the names of the streets, which previously had been simply lettered. For return addresses to look more pleasant on outgoing mail, street titles were adjusted from letters to more descriptive, charming names like Bakery Street and Post Office Street.

Postcard sent from Terezin

Propaganda was also used by the Nazis to foster anti-Semitic attitudes among the civilians. Throughout WWII, Germany was being heavily bombed by Allied forces, and life was incredibly difficult for the many Germans dealing with the mass destruction in their cities. By filming short newsreels of the “happy Jews” tucked away in their isolated settlements like Terezin, Nazis hoped to play off the emotions of the distressed Germans. Resentment was spurred against the Jews as they appeared to be living the easy life while the Germans suffered back home. Through this, anti-Semitic mindsets were propagated in many Germans, and the Nazis faced less civilian opposition than they might have without their political spin on the situation.

But as devious as these methods were, they were commonplace in comparison to the level of deception surrounding Terezin’s official inspections by foreign governments. Among the most reprehensible of all of WWII’s horrors was the “Beautification” of Terezin for a Red Cross inspection in the spring of 1944. Not only did this trick prevent knowledge of the frightening state of the fortress itself, but it managed to allay outsiders’ growing concerns about all of the Nazis schemes in reference to the Jews. Who knows what atrocities and deaths could have been prevented before WWII came to a close had the wool not successfully been pulled over the Red Cross committee’s eyes.

Nazi thoroughness ensured this charade’s success. With an impeccable attention to detail, supervisors of the camp’s improvement made certain not a speck of doubt could linger in any resulting reports. This was accomplished in a number of ways, including the shipment of 7,500 people to Auschwitz so the camp would appear “less crowded.” Other adjustments including the refurbishing and painting of building facades, opening park areas previously forbidden to the Jews, the temporary opening of “shops” stuffed with quality wares, and the false labeling of buildings like “Boys’ School.” Even a restaurant was briefly opened with crisply-aproned waitresses serving full-sized, delicious meals.

"The Arrival of the International Red Cross Commission"
Drawing by Helga Weissova

Particularly healthy-looking prisoners were selected to line a carefully planned route past the improved buildings. The committee was also led past musical performances in newly-built bandstands as children played on shining playgrounds. Everything ran like clockwork throughout the six-hour inspection of June 23, 1944, and the officials apparently left satisfied. Today some question whether the committee may have had suspicions—the possibility is entertained that the Danish government did have concerns but did not want endanger their rapport with the Nazis, who might then intercept any relief and packages that could be provided to the Danish Jews of Terezin. Either way, the immediate reports were positive enough to soothe any uneasiness of the general public. Anxious to preserve their handiwork, a film was also created documenting the “quality” of the “Jewish habitation.” Fragments of the film still remain today, including scenes of an arranged soccer game in the barrack courtyards.

Any of the prisoners’ slim hopes for permanent change due to the inspection were quickly shattered. With the committee satisfied in their final reports, Terezin soon reverted to its former mode of operation. Furthermore, the war was drawing more desperate for the Germans, and the pace and size of transports to the east rapidly accelerated. By October of 1944, 18,000 prisoners were sent to Auschwitz. Beyond Nazi favoritism to the Danish Jews, there no longer was any concept of “protection.” Babies, government members, prominent personalities—all were equally subject to deportation at any time. In total from 1941-1945, of the 139,654 people who passed through Terezin, 86,934 were deported to the East. At the end of the war, only 16,832 of the original prisoners (who were fortunate enough to not be deported from Terezin) were found alive.